Folding paper box



Aug. 2, 1932. c. P. WALLACE FOLDING PAPER BOX,

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 8, 1930 adozmq Aug. 2, 1932. Q WALLACE 1,869,724-

FOLDING PAPER BOX Filed April 8, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

mentor,

Patented Aug. 2, 1932 UNITED STATES CHARLES P. WALLACE, OI LOOKPORT, NEW YORK FOLDING PAPER IBOX Application filed April 8, 1930. Serial Ho. 442,583.

This invention relates to a folding paper box provided with double side walls and interlocking means between the cover and the side walls as well as between the cover and an end wall.

An object of the invention is to provide a one piece folding box cut from a single blank and so constructed that when folded into closed position the ends of the box will be reinforced and the side walls will have a double thickness. The box is constructed of stiff paper, paste-board or other similar suitable material of which such boxes are usually made.

Another feature of the box consists in the peculiar novel locking means employed for securely locking the box in closed folded position.

Another feature of the-invention resides in the means for securely holding the end flaps of the side walls in position when the cover is folded in closing the box.

In the drawings which are made a part of this application and in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts:

Fig. 1 shows the box in closed position and securely locked by the locking means,

Fig. 2 is a view showing portions of the box in folded position preparatory to completely closing the same, and

Fig. 3 is a view of the blank from which the box is made showing the several parts out preparatory to folding.

Referring to Fig. 3 the bottom of the box is shown at 1, the end walls at 2, 3 and the external side walls at 4, 5. Integral with the end wall 3 is a cover strip 6 which is provided with end flaps 14: and 15 which are folded on the crease lines or hinges 28 and 29. The

end walls 4 and 5 are folded about creases 20 and 21 and are each provided substantially centrally thereof with converging slits 35 for reception of the locking ears of locking tabs and also with slits 36 parallel to the free edge of the end walls for reception of the point of the locking tab. Integral with the end wall 2 is a cover portion 7 provided with side flaps 8, 9 which are, folded about lines 22 and 23, the cover -7 itself being folded about the line 16 after the end walls 2 and 3 are folded about lines 17 and 18, while cover strip 6 is folded about line 19. The side flaps 8 and 9 are provided with integral end flaps 10 and 11 which are folded about lines 24 and 25 in closing the box. The side walls 4 and 5 are g rovided with end flaps 12 and 13 which are olded about lines 26 and 27. The end flaps 10 and 11 are cut from the blank along the lines 38 and 37 while the flaps 12 and 13 are out along lines 40 and 39. -11; Cover 7 is provided with slits 35 and 36 located centrally thereof and near the free end of the cover. These slits are the same as those located in the side walls 4 and 5 referred to above. The cover strip 6 and side flaps 8 and 9 have locking tabs 30 struck therefrom which are substantially triangular in form and are integrally hinged along the respective creases 19, 22 and 23. These locking tabs are of novel construction and are 4;

provided centrally of their free edges with locking ears 33 which are oval in shape and are integrally attached to the tabs with their long axes parallel to the free edges of the tabs. Each tab is rovided with creases 31, 7 32, the first of which is located at a point where the ears are attached to the tab on the side nearest the base of the tab while the second line 32 is located at the opposite points of attachment of said ears near the point 34 of go "the locking tab. The creases 31 and 32 are in all cases parallel to the base of the tab.

The slits 35 converge at the same angle as the inclination of the sides of the locking tabs and are provided for the purpose of receiving the locking cars 33 which are folded at theirbases along the sides of the tabs. The slits 35 have their ends which are engaged by the ears when in locked position located the same distance from the free edge of the part in which they are located as the hinge line3l of the tab is from the base of the tab. It will be observed that the locking corners of the ears 33 extend nearer the base of the tab than the hinge line 31. It is obvious from 95 this construction that if the locking ears are bent at right angles to the tab and the tab is folded about its base then the-locking ears cannot be inserted in the slits 35 without tearing the paper. In order to insert the lockwe ing ears it is necessary after the box is fold-' ed to closed position to bend the tab about its base into engagement with the cover or side wall and then to bend the tab back about the hinge 31 and insert the locking ears in the slits 35 whereupon pressure upon the central portion of the tab will force the ears throu h the slits. At the same time the point of e tab may be bent about theline 32 and mserted in the slit 36 thus securely lock ng the several parts. In releasing'the locking tab it is necessa to pull upon that portion of the tab to w ich the ears are attached and bend the tab about the line 31. If it is attempted to unlock the tab by bending it about the base hinge the corners of the locking cars will catch in the ends of the slit 35 and the tab cannot be released, without tearabout lines 22 and 23.

ing out the ends of the slits or tearing the ears fromthe tab.

After the blank is cut the box may be formed by folding the flaps 12, 13 about lines 26 and 27 and then folding the side walls 4 and 5 about lines and 21. Next the flaps 14 and 15 are folded about lines 28 and 29, and the end wall 3 folded about line 18 and cover strip 6 folded about line 19. It will be noted that at this stage the flaps 12 and 13 are in en agement with the end wall 3 and that the aps 14 and 15 which are provided with curved corners are folded inside the corners 4 and 5 and securely hold the flaps 12 and 13in position. To completely close the box the flaps 10 and 11 are folded about lines 24 and 25 and the side fla s 8 and 9 are folded nd wall 2 is then folded about line 17 and cover 7 folded about line 16. The side flaps 8 and 9 will then lie within and in contact with side walls 4 and 5 and between the flaps 14 and 15 and the side walls. The tabs attached to the cover should be pulled out-from the side of the box so as to be located on the outside of the side walls when the cover is closed and the tab in the cover strip 6 should be pulled up about its base so that the free end of the cover will lie in contact with the cover strip 6 under the locking tab therein.

By making the flaps 8 and 9 the same width as the side walls 4 and 5 it is obvious that double side walls are provided when the box is in closed position as described above. The side walls are further reinforced by the flaps 14 and 15 which are of the same width as the side walls. This construction provides a very strong box which will withstand considerable pressure on its top without collapsing. Furthermore the flaps 10 and 11, 12 and 13 reinforce the end walls of the box and substantially add to its strength since these walls are. also of the same width asthe depth of the box and extend all the way from the cover to the bottom.

As indicated above the locln'ng tabs when the box is closed are located on the outside "angles to the body portion of the tab and the tabs are folded along their bases until in contact with the part to be locked thereto with the end portion of the tab bent backward about the hinge line 31. In this position the lower corners of the locking ears may be inserted in the slits 35 and partially pushed therethrough whereupon the point of the tab 34 is bent about the hinge 32 and inserted in the slit 36. Pressure applied to the central portion of the tabs will then force the locking ears and the points into the slits into complete locking position whereupon the locking ears will tend to straighten into the plane of the tab and securely lock the parts. As indicated above the steps to unlock the tab are inverse of those employed in the locking operation. To unlock the tab a pull is exerted upon the central portion thereof where the ears are attached, to bend the tab backward about the line 31 and withdraw the ears and the point of the tab from the slits. If it is attempted to withdraw the tab by exerting a pull so as to rotate the tab about its base hinge the lower corners of the locking ears will catch in the ends of the slits 35 and the tab cannot be released without destroying either the ears or the.slits or both. From the above description it will be apparent that a box is provided which has strong double side walls in which the corners are substantially reinforced and in which the cover is securely locked and cannot be unlocked without damage to the parts unless the method of unlocking described is precisely followed.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A one piece box having a bottom to which are attached exterior side walls having end reinforcing flaps and end walls, one of said end walls having a cover strip from which is struck a triangular locking tab having oval locking ears attached to the sides thereof, and having end flaps for insertion inside said side walls, said cover attached to said other end wall and having side flaps for insertion within said side walls, said side flaps having struck therefrom locking triangular tabs provided with oval locking ears attached to the sides thereof for locking engagement with said side walls, said cover being provided with converging locking slits for cooperation with the locking tab on the cover strip, said slits and the sides of said tabs being coincident when the tabs are folded in position for insertion of the ears in the slits, said side walls provided with slits for Eooperation with the locking tabs on said side aps.

2. A one piece paper box havin abottom, side walls and end walls, one en wall provided with a cover strip having a locking tab,

the other end wall having a cover integral therewith and having side flaps for insertion within said side walls to provide a double side wall construction, slits in said cover cooperating with the locking tab of the cover strip, said locking tab having locking ears intermediate its base and free end, and having a creased hinge line between said ears and its base and parallel to its base, said ears and slits being so relatively located that to insert the ears in the slits, said tab must be bent back about a hinge line intermediate said ears and the base hinge of the tab.

In testimony whereof Iafiix my signature. CHARLES P, WALLACE. 

